SpaceX Starship & Super Heavy booster [Raptor Vacuum breathes fire]

[Dr Mordrid]

Raptor is inexpensive. Most large engines cost in the $tens of millions...

Elon Musk ✓ @elonmusk
Raptor cost is tracking to well under $1M for V1.0. Goal is <$250k for V2.0 is a 250 ton thrust-optimized engine, ie <$1000/ton
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It's all the "secondary" structure that concerns me, not engines & primary airframe

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1179107539352313856

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1179107730876796928

[Dr Mordrid]

Starship Mk1's modules have been de-mated. Easier to work on the upper fins, actuators, header tanks, plumbing, etc. on the ground.

[Dr Mordrid]

The Boca Chica Mk1 propulsion module was moved onto an open framework steel platform. Maybe to give clearance for finishing landing leg work and get better ventilation?

Time lapse,

[Dr Mordrid]

Timi's at it again, 2k-3.8k hires renders at the link. 1280w sample below. Musk 'liked' them.

Kimi Talvitie @kimitalvitie
New renders of #Starship and #Superheavy. Quite a sight.

Think I've outdone myself here, especially on the inflight one.

IMG_20191005_124120-1280.jpg

https://twitter.com/kimitalvitie/status/1180482439594070018

[Dr Mordrid]

LC-39A Starship upgrades; Phase 1 (main image) and Phase 2 (insert, at Phase 1's pad location). Renderings by two of NSF's graphics creators.

Phase 1 construction is happening now.

Jay L. DeShelter @jdeshetler
Construction of Starship 39A launch & landing facility picking up the pace.

https://t.co/vpV6pX4tZX

Illustration by Jay DeShetler/Mack Crawford.

https://t.co/YFRXjvRHhV

IMG_20191007_151930.jpg

https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1181280330017173507

[Dr Mordrid]

Boca Chica road and beach closures due to SpaceX activity, no idea what yet.

Wednesday October 23 through Friday October 25

1300-2100 Eastern each day

[Dr Mordrid]

The "concept" is the development of docking connectors for the propellant transfer lines.

SpaceX has already developed spacecraft docking hardware & software for Crew Dragon.

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2019/10/12/nasa-shows-interest-spacexs-starship-orbital-refueling-ambitions/3957775002/

If SpaceX wants its massive next-generation spacecraft to reach the moon and planets beyond, CEO Elon Musk says it'll need to be refueled in orbit around Earth - and NASA wants to know more.
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To further the technology, NASA recently awarded SpaceX a $3 million contract to study the concepts, Administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a joint press conference with Musk on Friday.
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"Starship is a really big vehicle," Bridenstine told FLORIDA TODAY on Thursday. "Being able to refuel it will be necessary to become a vehicle that can get to the moon."

"SpaceX can use it for their reasons and we can use it for our reasons,"
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[Dr Mordrid]

New drone video of Boca Chica's pad & build site construction.

They're working 3 shifts at both locations.

[Dr Mordrid]

Cocoa, FL

Stacking Starship Mk4 (in yellow box)

John Winkopp @John_Winkopp
@SpaceX #Starship #MK4 stacking has begun 17 October 2019.

IMG_20191017_121332-stack mk4.jpg

https://twitter.com/John_Winkopp/status/1184849912250470400

[Dr Mordrid]

CNBC has caught up

Michael Sheetz @thesheetztweetz
Aerial video taken today at SpaceX''s facility in Florida shows the first stainless steel bands of another Starship coming together, the second rocket under construction at the Cocoa site.

Read about it: cnbc.com/2019/10/17/spa…
Video: John Winkopp

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1184971070916444163

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/17/spacex-starts-construction-of-another-starship-rocket-in-florida.html

Aerial video shows SpaceX beginning construction of another Starship rocket in Florida

SpaceX now has three of its next-generation Starship rockets under construction, as aerial video shows the latest developments at the company’s facility in Florida.

The first bands of stainless steel for another Starship rocket were put on a stand Thursday, and were captured in a video taken from a flying drone. Former commercial pilot John Winkopp took the video and gave CNBC permission to use his footage.

Starship is a massive rocket that SpaceX is developing to eventually launch cargo and people to the moon and Mars. The rocket is designed to be reusable so SpaceX can launch and land it multiple times, like a commercial airplane.

SpaceX is building three Starship rockets simultaneously: One in at its facility in Boca Chica, Texas and two at its facility in Cocoa, Florida.
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[Dr Mordrid]

KSC's LC-39A Starship pad is coming along nicely...

Julia Bergeron @julia_bergeron (Teslarati)

Starship facilities update! It appears the new landing pad is just about finished at 39A. The Phase One Starship pad should be added once the concrete cures. So, basically any day now we should see vertical progress. #Starship #39A
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The new Robert's Road location is seeing some action as well. A mysterious bulkhead can be seen and the road leading in is being leveled. That will have to be ready for MK2 to be delivered as I suspect this will be where it will be prepped ahead of launch. #Starship

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1184996245166796800

[Dr Mordrid]

BIG storm hit Boca Chica. Poles down, major lightning, power outages, hurricane force winds (100+ kts), tornado over Boca Chica Village but no touchdown.

Starship Mk1's modules were undamaged, and SpaceX's Tesla Solar & PowerPack farms are providing power. Work re-started almost immediately. Landing leg mount being attached, via @BocaChicaGal

IMG_20191021_120808.jpg

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1186304669724921856

[Dr Mordrid]

Mary @BocaChicaGal
A morning video from SpaceX, Boca Chica assembly. The work crew are busy preparing Starship Mk1 for it's trip to the launch site tomorrow.
@NASASpaceflight

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1189169933164449792

[Dr Mordrid]

Mk1's propulsion module has gone to the pad for tests. Later, the cargo module and fins will be attached for first flight.

Moving from the build site to the new pad (time-lapse)

SPadre @SpacePadreIsle
One week until Starship’s fueling and systems tests begin at Boca Chica on Nov 7, from 12-8pm. 3 raptor engines to be installed and tested as well, then final assembly and...!!

https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1190005354668679168

IMG_20191031_231021.jpg

[Dr Mordrid]

Here we go - getting Mk1's cargo module ready to hit the road. Once it's at the pad for stacking they can start on making ring segments for Mk3.

Mary @BocaChicaGal
A canard is being attached to Starship Mk1's nosecone. @NASASpaceflight

EIUst5ZW4AESfgj.jpeg

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1190406857795477504